bhrb75 - Posted - 09/11/2012:  04:44:21

I wish I had 10 hrs a day to practice. But I do spend quite a bit of time "listening" which is a very important supplement to practicing.

TheChief - Posted - 09/11/2012:  05:48:39

When you're young without family or responsibilities it's surely easier. I understand, but that's how it's done. For a period of at least 20 years, EARL had that banjo in his hands 5 to 10 hours every day. That's how it's done, but everyone just doesn't have that much time.

You MUST love it and WANT it above everything else. I did. It was my life and I thrived on that sound...and was amazed at what could be done with the banjo. And 65 years later I still love it. How 'bout that.

Two things are on the way. Banjo camp and November!!!!!!!!!

AND TODAY IS 9-11. LEST WE FORGET THE 3000 WHO WERE TAKEN FROM THIS LIFE AND WHO DID THE DEED... WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE!

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST

Edited by - TheChief on 09/11/2012 05:58:04

bhrb75 - Posted - 09/11/2012:  06:19:45

So true! WSM, June of '53...."That's Benny Martin playin' a little tune called the Martin Waltz. That's mighty pretty Benny, thank you very much. Foggy Mountain Boys ganged around and ready to go, Earl Scruggs' got the old five string banjer ready to kindly start us off this mornin', an old timer called the Cumberland Ga..BANG!!!p" So much excitement in his playing. I heard J.D. say several times upon being asked what it was like to E up close, "It was like something was going to explode."

To add to that we're all amazed at what you did with the banjo. That's what I always loved about your playing; the ability to keep me on the edge of my seat thinking, "What's he gonna do this time!?" and then after you pulled off something with spectacular taste, I remember looking at my Dad who would be sitting next to me and saying "Did you hear that?!!" Thank you for that.

TheChief - Posted - 09/11/2012:  08:16:42

You're welcome, and too kind.

I understand what JD meant, but I saw it as perfection at every turn. Volume, Tone, Note selection, and Earl always seemed to know what note would go best and where to play it. I believe he learned a lot about background, and patterns from the side men in Nashville. I know I did. To study the men who made a good living doing just that really helped me to understand what to play when. And for sure, what NOT to play. I can talk about it all day!!!!

It's complicated, huh?

thank you.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST

bhrb75 - Posted - 09/11/2012:  08:24:51

Nah not too complicated. I think a body just has to pay close enough attention to it; what note is played, when it's played and how it's played.

Would Grady Martin be one of those guys to study? ;)

bhrb75 - Posted - 09/11/2012:  08:34:11

I think I should add to it that when I was taking violin lessons years ago, I always wanted to play the more advanced pieces; Paganini, the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. Very technically demanding pieces. My teacher would not attempt to teach me those pieces saying that I could probably learn to play the notes but my technique and ear was limited at my age and experience so that "notes" would be all I would be able to play. He wanted me to be able to play the "music" as it was written and intended to be played. After nearly 20 years of playing the banjo, I've only started to grasp what he meant by that. I think a lot of people loose sight of "how" the notes are to be played and they wind up sounding sterile. That's where guys like Earl, you and J.D were different than all the rest.

TheChief - Posted - 09/11/2012:  08:52:34

Yep, Grady, Jerry Bird, Tommy Jackson, Buddy Emmons, Hal Rugg, Walter Haynes, Jimmy Capps. The list goes on. Fats Domino's sax player, Eric Clapton...etc..etc. The reason there are not very many great "by ear" players now days is because they don't pay attention. One note can change the song..in a Hank Thompson song, "Most Of All" just before the third line of the last chorus, one of the steel players did 4 notes that changed that song around for me. I think that record came out in 1953 or 54. That's right, 53 or 54.

Yeah, it is complicated because you must also study the singer, and the song, how it's phrased and what the mood of the song is.  And on, and on. It never ends. And, you gots to remember what you learn and when the time comes in a song where that "thing" fits..use it. You know the intro I did on the song "Memories?" It came from the Jello Commercial.

They come at you from everywhere.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST

bhrb75 - Posted - 09/11/2012:  10:16:15

In that one you all did "Lonesome Feeling" in the second verse after the line "I wish that I was, in Kentucky. With papa and mamma dear." there's a cool little fill in lick you put in. If you can remember, where did that one come from?

I do remember the kickoff to "Memories." I think my favorite was the ending to "The Kind of Woman I Got." Sounds like a Jerry Reed lick.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 09/11/2012:  19:25:51

To add to that we're all amazed at what you did with the banjo. That's what I always loved about your playing; the ability to keep me on the edge of my seat thinking, "What's he gonna do this time!?" and then after you pulled off something with spectacular taste, I remember looking at my Dad who would be sitting next to me and saying "Did you hear that?!!" Thank you for that.

 

---

    you are right on there brandon,,,   i always considered earl as the treadmill for everyone as a starting point or a must have for the banjo ,, but sonny was the original  NO FEAR guy,,,  his fill ins and back up and intros and tags were so innovative that it was like you said,, whats he gonna do next.  and  in live shows esp. when they were using one mic,, he could walk around stage with that granada cannon and play some of the prettiest back up and jump right back in there and nail the barritone like it was just breathing for him..  .. just amazed me,,, and wouldn't hesitate to call you out either ,, if you ask for siempre and wanted to get a closer look at what he was doing... (1999 jekyl island)...     don't know if he remembers that or not.

terry m

Edited by - 1935tb-11 on 09/11/2012 19:27:53

bhrb75 - Posted - 09/12/2012:  06:35:50

Oh yeah I got called out one time for asking for that one too. Cherokee, June of 1999... After the show I heard, "Yeah, I know what you're gonna say,(in a mocking childlike voice) you didn't play my song." To which I came back with some smart a-S remark in defense. lol He patted me on the shoulder and said "Son, you're learning." You never forget stuff like that. Terry, have you heard the show from Reidsville in'71? The break he took on "My Old Kentucky Home" was one of the most awesome breaks anyone ever did, and he went a little further than he did on the recording.

B.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 09/12/2012:  16:40:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by bhrb75

Oh yeah I got called out one time for asking for that one too. Cherokee, June of 1999... After the show I heard, "Yeah, I know what you're gonna say,(in a mocking childlike voice) you didn't play my song." To which I came back with some smart a-S remark in defense. lol He patted me on the shoulder and said "Son, you're learning." You never forget stuff like that. Terry, have you heard the show from Reidsville in'71? The break he took on "My Old Kentucky Home" was one of the most awesome breaks anyone ever did, and he went a little further than he did on the recording.



B.

---

 i can't recall it right off the top of my head,,, but i can just imagine what he might have done.....     the one thing sonny always seemed to have mastered that i have always been in awe of is the steel guitar licks,,,,  that had to take a long long time to figure out.

P.S.   sonny we ain't just blowin smoke here ..just talking is all !!!!

terry m

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/12/2012:  17:36:11

Boys,
He left gems all over this country. Heck all over the world.

markbyrum - Posted - 09/12/2012:  17:42:27

Sonny:

  Tell us more about the new Osborne Rocky Top model you referred to a short while ago.  Photos please (if any exist yet).

Thanks.

Mark

TheChief - Posted - 09/12/2012:  18:33:15

I just picked up 2 today. So far I've sold 4 of them..actually before it was completed.

It's Mahogany, all Nickel hardware except for the tone ring..It's a Gold Blaylock. Osborne Chief on the peghead, Rocky Top in Mother of Pearl name block on the 21st fret. Jeremy Averill who bought number 4 also had his name put on the 15th fret..in Mother of Pearl of course. . These have the plain wood neck (without finish) for easier playing. Flying Eagle inlay with double cut peghead. Pearl truss rod cover.

I'll have a picture up as soon as I can get around to it. It's pretty.

Bill Emerson and Aaron McDarris has the other two. Aaron is on the road with Rhonda Vincent so I'm going to send it to him by Larry Stephenson (who is playing there too) for a Saturday show in Conway Missouri. Don Day's great festival  He'll be playing it there.

~

s

randallaustin - Posted - 09/12/2012:  19:35:24

I just saw Aaron playing with Rhonda Vincent last weekend,and he was playing a Chief. It sounded GREAT. I would soo love to have one, but alas I'm 17 and broke

billygeeman - Posted - 09/12/2012:  21:03:45

Sonny. I saw the picture on your website of the last Osborne Brothers Band. Wasn't Dana Cupp in that band as a regular, with Daniel Grindstaff filling in for him, in that picture? I saw The Osborne Brothers several times in 2003 and 2004, and Dana was always there. Just wondering. Thanks!

TheChief - Posted - 09/12/2012:  22:03:23

You are 100% right. Where is my mind. Dana played the guitar with us while I was still playing the banjo. He was in that band and Daniel was filling in. He (Daniel) never was a full time member.

After shoulder surgery in 2003 Dana played the banjo and was there after I left.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

Edited by - TheChief on 09/12/2012 22:09:24

stringman711 - Posted - 09/12/2012:  22:14:35

Long live Carl Farmer !

Edited by - stringman711 on 09/12/2012 22:16:34

bcampbe5 - Posted - 09/13/2012:  10:15:05

Sonny,

I'm really interested in hearing how different these mahogany Chiefs sound with the gold tone ring.  I have a nickel mahogany chief with a nickel blaylock, and I love it.   

Aaron McDarris played mine at the Milan, Michigan B.G. festival this year...  He said it was the first mahogany one he had played..He really liked it...  OBVIOUSLY, since he's getting one.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing one and to hearing him play his. 

-Brad 

TheChief - Posted - 09/13/2012:  21:26:25

That Gold tone ring just softens the harshness in that banjo. Aaron will play his Saturday in Conway Mo. He's anxious to hear it and I'm just as anxious to know what he thinks of it. I'll let you know as soon as I know.

Aaron, playing with Rhonda Vincent will be in Kodak TN today at that big festival...go tell him I said relief is on the way!!!

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL

Edited by - TheChief on 09/13/2012 21:36:53

TheChief - Posted - 09/13/2012:  21:31:34

DANA..A LITTLE CARL FARMER LIVES IN US ALL

Great days, Great memories. Especially Clay City, Kentucky.

~

S.

Edited by - TheChief on 09/13/2012 21:33:38

bevans - Posted - 09/13/2012:  21:33:35

Hi everybody!

Here's a NashCamp update. The BIG news is that Kristin Scott Benson will be joining us for Friday afternoon in addition to all day Sunday. She'll be joining the Chief, Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, Ned Luberecki, Frank Neat and yours truly for this year's camp, which is Friday to Sunday, October 19-21 at Camp Marymount, west of Nashville in Fairview (info at nashcamp.com).

Our lineup is now set for our Station Inn concert on Thursday, October 18th and here's all the info you need to join us:

Thursday, October 18: Nashville, TN: The Station Inn, NashCamp Banjo Camp Kickoff Concert with Alan Munde, Bill Evans, Ned Luberecki, Barbara Lamb, Josh Williams, Matt Flinner and Todd Phillips. 8:30 p.m., $15 admission at the door. 402 12th Avenue South, phone 615-255-3307 for more info.

Banjo Camp co-director Cindy Sinclair tells me that we still have 5-6 beds left - so if you've been thinking about joining us this year, contact Cindy soon and get signed up! Email Cindy at nashcamp@comcast.net or visit nashcamp.com for more info.

This is the best bluegrass banjo camp in the world, folks. Why? We're a small camp - limiting students to 50-55. That means intimate classes and lots of opportunities for close interaction with our teachers all weekend long. We also have the very best food of any camp - guaranteed! And we've got the Chief and Cindy Sinclair - what more could you want? 

See y'all soon!

Sincerely,

Bill Evans

bill@billevansbanjo.com

Edited by - bevans on 09/13/2012 21:35:26

apherigo - Posted - 09/14/2012:  04:22:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by bevans



 NashCamp

---

Signed up and ready to go!!!

Aaron

TheChief - Posted - 09/14/2012:  07:21:31

I'll bring a Rocky Top version Mahogany to banjo camp to show it off.

If Aaron is in town I'll try to borrow his so you may hear more of what it will sound like after being played for a while. Definitely makes a difference.

Also, Jeremy Averill is having a Walnut version of Rocky Top made. He will be at camp so that will be interesting to compare and hear the difference the wood actually makes.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

TheChief - Posted - 09/15/2012:  05:41:50

Hey Brad..who is doing the Milan festival now. I thought that one shut down. How bout Charlotte? That was a good one. It's been so long since I stopped working I'm completely out of touch.

Aaron is a good player.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

bcampbe5 - Posted - 09/17/2012:  10:35:52

Hi Sonny,

Jim Wilder is doing both Milan and Charlotte festivals.  He does a great job with them in my opinion.  I think Milan did shut down for awhile but not sure for how  long.  As far as attendance, it's nowhere near what it  was when You and Bobby would play here.  To be truthful, I'm not sure it will ever get back to that point BUT, I could be wrong...  Hope I am... 

Regardless, Milan is really close to home for me, and I'm glad I have a place like that to go to. 

As for Aaron, I have to agree with you; he is a fine picker and an even better person.  I always enjoy getting to visit with him when they are up this way. 

TheChief - Posted - 09/17/2012:  13:28:40

Didn't Jim Wilder and a guy named Fred (something) used to run Milan? Or am I thinking of someone else. Fred was very Ill. And, didn't his son play with Jim and Jesse?

Man, I've seen some huge crowds at both those places.

You know, we worked at 12101 Mack ave. in Detroit..broadcast on WJR..I think 1954. And did TV in Windsor Ontario Canada...CKLW? Sponsored by Chevrolet..or a Chevy dealer. Long time ago.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

Edited by - TheChief on 09/17/2012 13:35:58

stringman711 - Posted - 09/17/2012:  17:13:14

Sonny. Your thinking of Jim Wilder and Jerry Yates. Before them were Bob White and Fred Ellis. It was Bob and Fred that had huge crowds.

Loafers Glory - Posted - 09/18/2012:  05:49:44

Mr Awsbone....

Milan is where the steering wheel in our bus fell in my lap. Just a small bowel movement,not much. Y'all went somewhere in Gary Adams bus,I stayed and rode home with J&J...another story...

It's also where the very famous Jimmy Martin walked into a tree and it put him prone....did that twice,I think. Of course it was just an accident,yeah,right.....Ignorant oil makes one do things like that.

Freds kid is Tony Ellis...both of 'em good guys and he did work for J&J.....

Loafer.

aj_fuller - Posted - 09/18/2012:  06:35:59

Mr. Huffmaster,

One minor correction - Fred's son is Tim Ellis (Tony used to play with Bill Monroe back in the 50s didn't he?), and is still active in the Detroit/Toledo area bluegrass scene.

Bob White and Fred Ellis (E&W Productions) put on some great festivals back in those days, and sadly they have both now left us.  Fred sold me my first old Gibson banjo, which I still treasure to this day - sure do miss him!

Edited by - aj_fuller on 09/18/2012 06:36:58

Loafers Glory - Posted - 09/18/2012:  07:24:43

Thanks for the correction....hell...I'm old....

Loafer

TheChief - Posted - 09/18/2012:  07:29:09

Man that brings back memories. Did they have some crowds there or what?

Fred Ellis,what a good guy. And right about his son Tim. I kidded him about how bad he was! Actually he was pretty darn good.

For sure Tony Ellis is still around. Frog (Jimmy Martin) walking into the infamous tree was a forgotten "accident" that happened more than once. Did you guy's know that Red Allen hung that name on Jimmy, and it stuck. Happened on Ralph Emery's radio show on WSM. We had been calling him (Jimmy) Frog amongst ourselves, but Red used it on the 50,000 watt voice of WSM, heard round the world, and it stayed forever. Man, when he said that I 'bout fell out of the chair and Bobby was laughing so hard he left the room. That was "a moment to remember."

That's where Pete Goble showed everyone the new song he and Leroy Drum had written.."1949."

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL..GOD BLESS AMERICA

Roy5string - Posted - 09/18/2012:  12:20:02

Sonny,

Did your original clamshell tailpiece on the Granada

have the word Granada engraved on it or was it not?

I have done some research and some were and some not.

Thanks

Roy

TheChief - Posted - 09/18/2012:  12:36:36

Roy..It did not. First thing I did after I got it home was take that thing and replace it with a Gold Presto. Also the tuners had to go. A set of Pancakes were in order.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

bhrb75 - Posted - 09/18/2012:  14:14:27

When you got it did it have the old 2:1 tuners on it? with the old 2:1 Grovers? I remember you telling about how you got the 2-bands that are on it now from Harry Sparks; throwing one of them up in the air and catching it as he walked toward you from far away...

TheChief - Posted - 09/18/2012:  21:45:27

Hey..This Saturday at the Nothin Fancy festival in Buena Vista VA. Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie, and Aaron McDarris with Rhonda Vincent will be there and both will be playing the Rocky Top Chief. If you are around that area go see 'em. I wish I could be there to hear how they sound.

Brandon:

It had those Mother Pearl tuners when I got it and they were worn out. Harry gave me the gold plated pancake Grovers. They're still on it. I still have the original tuners and tail piece.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

banjorsj - Posted - 10/03/2012:  11:58:58

Hey Sonny,  I have been listening to a concert The Del McCoury Band played at the Gibson's Café Milano back in 2000.  He mentioned that you were in the audience that evening.  I know this maybe a stupid question, but what banjo was Rob playing?  I was an awesome sounding five!

El Dobro - Posted - 10/03/2012:  17:34:48

Didn't Carter Stanley give a few people "names" ?

TheChief - Posted - 10/04/2012:  11:16:33

Rob was playing number 00 Chief. That's why I was there..to hear it. Rob makes them all sound good. He knows how to find the good spot. I remember that night well. Wasn't Larry Sparks there too? Got bent out of shape because they were serving alcohol. I don't mean to sound weird or to put him down. If that's what he feels and is strong enough in his belief, more power to him. I had places that I wouldn't go back...for various reasons.

Carter and Ralph both had names for several people. Mac Wiseman was "Chitlins", Jim and Jesse were the "hashknives." and later after they got some of the Martha White sponsorship, "The Martha White Twins." Bill Monroe was "The Father" ...Bobby and I were the "Fat Boys." If you were successful they had a name for you. As the old saying goes; I cried all the way to the bank! ;)     The Stanley Bros.had some good original songs and didn't need the attitude. They were good. What's better than White Dove, Vision of Mother, Lonesome River and The Fields Have Turned Brown..that's as good as it gets In my opinion of course. All written by Carter Stanley, and that's only a few.

Opinions are like Ford's and Chevy's used to be though..Everybody had One.

Edited by - TheChief on 10/04/2012 11:20:44

bhrb75 - Posted - 10/04/2012:  11:27:28

Sonny, did you ever hear "It's a Wonderful World Outside"? Supposedly it's the last song Carter ever wrote and he wrote it on an airplane coming back from a tour in Europe.

In this dreary hall of darkness,
These doors will never swing wide.
But will be my home forever,
It's a wonderful world outside.

Didn't Carter used to refer to Ralph as "Little Man?"

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 10/04/2012:  11:28:26

Sonny,
Do you know why Carter was called "Chase" by Ralph?
Thanks,
Ken

bobsvp - Posted - 10/05/2012:  14:31:15

Mr Loafers Glory, I enjoyed your story and would like to hear more!

Loafers Glory - Posted - 10/06/2012:  03:37:12

The trip home from Milan with J&J.

When we left Milan...I went to bed in the back of J&J s bus..sometimes during the night I heard/felt 'em change drivers.Mr Jim came back and turned on the light getting ready to lay down...took off his shirt,had an undershirt on,took off his pants,had boxer shorts on....no kidding, looked like two Q sticks hanging out of a parachute....I still laugh about that and have told that story with Jesse present and he nearly lost it.....he loved it....Loafer

bobsvp - Posted - 10/06/2012:  04:17:09

Loafer, thanks again for the story.

TheChief - Posted - 10/06/2012:  09:07:09

Banjo camp is coming up Oct. 19 thru 21. We've had three cancelations which leaves space for three men and two women. Contact Cindy Sinclair at 615-952-4040.

Carter did in fact refer to Ralph as "The Little Man" and Ralph did in fact refer to Carter as "Chase" because he (Carter) chased.....a lot of things. 

Raymond, that is a funny story about Jim. Then there's the one as they were coming down Monteagle Mtn. Jesse was driving and he and Jim were having a "discussion"... so to end it Jesse put the bus in neutral, propped his foot up on the dash, and let it fly down the Mtn.. That would be on the North side of course. Ray Kirkland and Allan Shelton agreed this story was true. Everyone went to the back and waited. Jim screamed at Jesse, and Jesse laughed. I bet they were doing in excess of 90 mph when they reached the bottom and that old bus was probably shaking all over creation. Of course, I wasn't there but the story was corroborated by two reliable sources.

Funny, stupid, things happen when you travel so much and right in everybody's face 24/7. Some very unprintable. Like when we were in Germany and were trying to get to Sweden and one of our group had lost his passport. It cost me $300 to fix it and some of the language, (adjectives) I used would not be for young folks...or anyone for that matter. I'm not bragging about it, just being truthful with my explanation.

AND

There was the time in Iowa I think, RaymondE (loafer) drenched Bobby with a water hose whilst washing the bus..I never saw him (Bobby) move so fast .Bobby was none too happy about that and had a few "cute" things to say. It made him worse that we all laughed about it. So many things!!! 50 years of it.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL 

Loafers Glory - Posted - 10/06/2012:  18:19:25

Mr Awsbone...The water hose deal happened just across the line in South Carolina from Brevard NC..we had worked there the night before. We were going to work a fester in Carl Storys hometown....that's where the very old man came to the record and asked me if Carl Story was still playing fiddle for Monroe.....he was remembering nearly fifty years back. You have a photo of Bobby in mid air running from that water hose....funny stuff is right....wonderful time in my/our life........Loafer

justagrinin - Posted - 10/06/2012:  19:33:12

I watched this last night on the country reunion show (ch. 136  here in Nashville), a Tribute to Marty Robbins. It had a episode of The Drifter and they featured you (Sonny Osborne) vamping along with the banjo and Bobby with the Mandolin. Was that the Vega or which banjo did you use for the show. Didn't catch what year it was.The bearded man on the show introduced himself as Zeke and his boys Sonny, Bob and Dale, I guess that was just part of the show.

TheChief - Posted - 10/07/2012:  06:51:38

Hey Raymond;

Iowa was where it was so cold. Memory is not first to go, but it's close to the top.

The Marty Robins Drifter series was in early 65 I believe. Funded by Robins and filmed in Black and White.  He was nearly finished with filming when everything went to color. He told me that he lost a lot of $ for that reason. Marty was one of the better people and one of the most talented voices ever. I learned a lot from just watching him work a microphone. Singer, songwriter, performer. You name it and he could do it. Race car owner and driver too. Didn't drink nor smoke, yet he died of a massive heart attack. Go figger!

I don't remember specifically which banjo I played but considering the  time (1965) it would have more than likely been the Vega Pro two.                                                                    

I never knew who "Zeke" was until 20 years later. He introduced himself and told me of doing the show.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Always did, Always will

Edited by - TheChief on 10/07/2012 06:57:07

justagrinin - Posted - 10/07/2012:  07:12:28

Thanks for the reply. Marty definitely had a smooth voice. When the show was on y'all showed up on screen and I said that's Sonny and after a bit recognized Bobby as well. Very Cool.